Sliding slope and means for sliding down objects or persons

ABSTRACT

A downhill sliding course of sliding track for sliding objects and persons down a slope or a hill includes covering or cladding elements for covering the surface of the slope and a water source to moisten the elements with water. The sliding elements include pools located one below the other, wherein the pools are forming water filled micro-terraces ( 10 ). The micro-terraces ( 10 ) are formed by a sheet covering the slope in a water-tight manner and flexible ribs ( 2 ) are emerging from the sheet, furthermore each pool is bordered by the covering sheet ( 5 ) and the rib ( 2 ) and is closed by a flexible transverse sectioning rib joined to the covering sheet ( 5 ) and the flexible rib ( 2 ). With suitable accessories activities similar to skiing, sleighing and surfing can be performed on the sliding course. Accordingly, the invention includes also accessories that can be used to perform these activities. The invention provides individual appliances to implement the sliding course.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a downhill sliding course or sliding track forsliding objects and persons down a slope or a hill comprising ofcovering or cladding elements for covering the surface of the slope anda water source to moisten the elements with water. With suitableaccessories activities similar to skiing, sleighing and surfing can beperformed on the sliding course. Accordingly, the object of theinvention includes also accessories that can be used to perform theseactivities. The invention provides individual appliances to implementthe sliding course.

BACKGROUND ART

All summer and winter sports are based on conditions created by nature,making use to smaller or grater extent of all possibilities available atthe site and the possibilities provided by the climatic conditions.

The biggest obstacle to summer skiing is that water runs-off very fastform the slopes and artificial ski trails. The continuous replacement ofthe run-off water has been solved earlier too, replacing it by way of asimple pump making the surface of the slope slippery and cooling it atthe same time.

But this water is very different from the snow suitable for skiing orfrom the waves of the ocean. It is not only warmer, melted, but it alsomoves along (or faster) with the user of the slope, and therefore thereis no difference of impulse between them which could be used for control(it is a good visual illustration that an excellent snow covered slopeis only suitable for skiing as long as the snow is stagnant, and at themoment the snow starts to slide—when avalanche develops—the skier is nolonger able to direct the ski with the help of the snow moving togetherwith him, and is carried away together with any obstacles on its path.

For all sports mentioned above the basic paradigm of physics is valid:namely the phenomenon and law of conservation of momentum. It statesthat all bodies conserve their original state of movement as long asexternal forces do not force them to change it. In an closed systemcomprising two bodies of any type the change in the state of motion ofone of the bodies is equal to the change in the state of motion of theother. In the instant case the two bodies are the user and the slidingcourse (slope) or the user and the water. Thus, changing the state ofmotion is only possible, if there is an other body, which can be forcedto change its state of motion. This other body can be the Earth,sufficient quantity of water, air, etc. The change in the state ofmotion is determined by the vector sum of the effect of one or moreforces. In the case of skiing, the change in the state of motion forhard slope is the result of the friction force and the force of inertiaof the dislodged snow, while for powder snow the force of inertia of thedislodged snow alone. In the case of surfing the reaction force of thedislodged water enables the sports person to control the movement. Inthe case of slides directing is impossible as the water moves togetherwith the user, sometimes even faster than the user, and instead ofgiving a support for controlling direction the water sweeps away theuser using a different sign forcing.

One of the most enjoyable types of sliding is ski, particularly Alpineskiing. The sliding modes described in the technical state of the arttry to create all these enjoyment in the climatic conditions of summer.All modes, which have become independent sport can reproduce howeveronly in a limited way the feeling of sliding down a high forest slope ona stable snow. Besides their special advantages and extraordinaryrichness in experience all have some disadvantages, which should beeliminated.

We have observed that sea wave surfing is the sport that provides themovement experiences closest to skiing (and within that the sport thatco-ordinates movement in a slope at a higher level, snowboarding, whichis expanding rapidly). Nevertheless, there are a number of circumstancesthat hinder it becoming a real mass sport.

It can only be pursued at sections of the beach where the wind and soilsurface support the evolution of exceptionally high, braking waves.(Skiing too, can only be pursued in winter, and only on the mountains,and thus, for instance, the several billion people living in poorer andwarmer countries are excluded form it.)

It is only possible to surf when wind conditions are ideal (it is onlypossible to ski when snow conditions are good, although snow cannons arealready available).

In order to have time to enjoy travelling upon the waves it is necessaryto get into the see far away from the shore swimming hard. (thiscorresponds to the necessity of climbing up to the top of a hill inorder to slide down).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,122 describes a slide of inhomogeneous inclinationbuilt on sloped terrain, imitating the experience of wave surfing, wherethe slippery surface is provided by a constant flow of water onto aplastic surface coming from pipes located at not too big distances fromeach other on the underside, while the surfer slides down the slide on afootboard similar to the surfing board or a snowboard.

The deficiencies of this known solution are the following:

The water supply of the sloped surface is not solved. The planned watersupply system is not able to provide an even water layer with even waterthickness.

The thickness of the water is unregulated to such an extent, that is notpossible to exclude fully the formation of deep rivulets, streamshindering the sliding down, while at other places the covering surfacemight remain completely dry. For this reason, the friction andresistance will change from centimeter to centimeter making the controlof direction more difficult.

Nothing in the irregular covering surface with a curvature that is notpre-calculable, ensures the even spreading of the water. Theintroduction of the water at numerous discrete points provides only animaginary solution and only at the start of the operation, since at thepoints of outflow as a result of the special outlet the water spreads,but due to the unevenness and curvature of the surface on the one hand,and to the springing effect of surface tension, after a distance of justbut a fraction of a meter the water forms a stream.

It is a significant disadvantage that the water needs to be suppliedalmost evenly on the whole height of the route for even the hope ofhaving the water spread evenly, but in this way at the bottom of theslope the full volume of water is collected and the water layer willprobably be thick, making impossible to control the direction of slidingand taking away the enjoyment.

The depicted water supply system requires large volumes of water as thewater poured onto the surface flows away immediately and so the watermust be replaced continuously, otherwise the surface will not be evenlymoist. To minimize water demand the inclination of the slope must bemaximized at 7-20 deg.

The yield of the water outlet points must be carefully regulated, but atleast carefully adjusted, and this is a meter the patent does notdiscuss at all. Lacking this, the inequality of the water flow is evengreater.

The water outlet points and the piping conducting to them must bepositioned before the construction of the track covering, and thereforethe effect of the water-film and how much additional water is stillrequired can only be observed later, but modifications, if necessary,can only be carried out by breaking-up the covering.

Should the water run on the track be spread evenly in spite of theabove, even then a favorable direction control could not be achieved asthe principle of physics to be described later suffers, as the momentumconservation phenomena used for controlling direction does not make thechange in the state of motion possible for bodies moving together.

In practice, the shaping of the sliding device “board” makes difficultand cumbersome the required steering. The exertion of the bottomsteering element arrests the slide at times even when this is notdesirable, and when turning (banking) the user must tilt over the planedefined by the steering element and the board, which causes instability.

At higher speeds the protuberant bottom steering element will only sinkinto the material of the covering panel and produced the required effectif the user is rather experienced Oust think about unwillingacceleration).

EP 0 873 770 A1 “SURFSLIDING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SLIDING ONARTIFICAL SURFACES” provides method and apparatus for surfing onartificial surface.

The shortages of this known method are the following:

does not provide even miniaturization, because although the excess dripwater is partially drained, it is not able to spread evenly the waterfrom the supply pipes.

Huge amounts of water are required for continuous operation, even whenthe water in the different sections is individually recalculated.

Huge dimensions also are required for the desired operation, as the sizeof the canal visibly exceeds that of a house.

Large amounts of capital are needed for constructing an architecturallycorrect facility.

It is questionable whether is it possible for more than one sportsperson to be close by.

It demands extensive surfing experiences.

The principle of operation resembles more that of the roller boardingthan surfing, i.e. at high speeds it is difficult to stop based onbraking on artificial grass, and thus the tracks planned for high speedcan be life threatening.

The length of the characteristically enclosed track must be limited forclear end-to-end visibility; otherwise it is not possible to providefast help in case of possible accidents.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The aim to be achieved by the invention is the production of a slidingcourse enabling direction controlled sliding executed on it on asuitable sloping terrain along with an additional auxiliary aim toprovide an enjoyment or experience similar to winter skiing in summer,optionally to make it suitable for use in recreation parks, ski trailtracks or in enclosed or indoor areas. A further objective is that thesliding course be safe, environment friendly, energy and water saving,that its construction, maintenance and repair be as simple and costsaving as possible and that its use be easy to learn.

There are no sports opportunities in the summer recreation parks,bathing establishments that serve this purpose, require activity, andaction, provide individual and collective enjoyment without requiringskill and knowledge, but demand toil and offer challenge. People lookingfor diversion can only chose dry-land team sports, i.e. ball games or atthe most, can enjoy the passive delights of a slide, or can chose asrecreation the passive joys of doing nothing.

It is true in general; the real enjoyment for people is action, movementthat he is able to control at (direct) all times. There are actions thatoffer momentary pleasure e.g. slides, when for a short period the personlooses control over their state of motion, but only because it isevident right form the beginning, that at the end they will arrive at asafe, controlled state.

The realization of an apparatus suitable to turn the world-widepracticed winter skiing, that had become a mass sport available to allinto a sports activity that can be pursued In summer as an aquaticsport, by having the micro-terraces made along the surface of the slidesmade of more slippery material than ever, and made even more slipperywith water poured on it stop the downpour of water, and thus renderingthe sliding surface suitable for having direction controlled movementmade on it.

If the upper surface layer of the water mass is separated by a suitable,watertight plastic sheet with a smooth surface, suitably soft andflexible, and dividing the water layer thus produced into small poolslocated in compartments, micro-terraces, than these micro-terraces willnot allow the water to pour down. The losses caused by small seeping andthe water dislodged during the use by objects, sports people, surferssliding down can be simply replaced with the water pumped into the basinlocated at the top of the slide so that the water runs through aslipover and flows smoothly to the uppermost micro-terrace and down theothers one after the next to the lowest micro-terrace replacing thewater shortage in each of them.

The sliding course, which represents the most general solution of thetask set, is given in claim No. 1. Its advantageous implementations aredefined in pending claims 2-13.

The invention provides solution for the task from yet an other aspect,which is the covering element that serves to make the sliding course.The structure of this covering element is described in claim 18.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in more detail with reference to theexemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a detail of a sliding course according to the invention with asliding appliance on it,

FIG. 2 is an overall picture of a sliding course according to theinvention and a lift installed along it,

FIG. 3 is a site view of a strip cut from the sliding course,

FIG. 4 is the schematic representation of the lateral section of thesliding course according to the invention,

FIG. 5 is the schematic view of the section of different profile ribsused to make the sliding course according to the invention,

FIG. 6 is the sectional representation of the sliding course accordingto the invention constructed with self-supported covering sheet,

FIG. 7 is the sectional representation of the sliding.course constructedwith screwed-on underlay-plates and screwed-on covering sheet and theribs hitched to it,

FIG. 8 shows an overall picture of the version of sliding courseaccording to the invention constructed with horizontally placed ribs,with the overflow depressions and water leak bores,

FIG. 9 is an overall picture of a part of the sliding course constructedwith ribs having grooves on their surface,

FIG. 10 is the sectional representation of a part of the sliding courseaccording to the invention where the covering sheet is made of stripshaving connecting elements, with the strips being held together by ribsconnecting into the connecting elements,

FIG. 11 is a section of the sliding course constructed with ribs notfully horizontal, with micro-terraces divided into sections bysectioning grooves,

FIG. 12 is a section of the sliding course constructed with crossingribs,

FIG. 13a is the front view of the sliding course constructed with aslope covered with discrete covering elements, and FIG. 13b is anoverall view of one of its details,

FIG. 14 is a version of the covering sheet used for making the slidingcourse which can be manufactured by extrusion, with integrated ribs,

FIGS. 15a-g shows different pictures of a version of sliding devicesimilar to the snow board which can be used on the sliding courseaccording to the invention,

FIGS. 16a and 16 b illustrate a simple version of sliding device similarto the sleigh, which can be used, on the sliding course according to theinvention,

FIGS. 17a and 17 b are the upper view and side view of a steerableversion of the sliding device made in the form of a rubber boat, whichcan be used on the sliding course according to the invention,

FIG. 18 is the front view of a steerable version of the sliding devicemade in the form of a rubber boat, which can be used on the slidingcourse according to the invention,

FIG. 19 is the schematic side view of the continuous version of thesliding course according to the invention,

FIG. 20 is the schematic side sectional view of a version of the slidingcourse according to the invention constructed with covering sheet havinginflatable cavities.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the operation of the sliding course 1 according to theinvention. The sliding course has a sliding surface from which ribs 2protrude. Between the ribs 2 there are gaps, slots, cavities,depressions or pools, respectively, containing water and so a slidingdevice 7 placed on top of the ribs 2 presses the ribs made of flexiblematerial from the inside, which bend down. When the ribs bend down thesliding device 7 dislodges the water filling the pools between the ribs2, consequently, changes the state of motion. The force required for itacts on the sliding device 7 and thereby steering motions can beachieved similar to skiing if suitably controlled.

One of the advantageous solutions of the invention is the slidingsurface 1 mounted for support on a slope 20 e.g. as found in nature orconstructed, installed in recreation parks or bathing establishments.The sliding surface 1 due to its width, provides sufficient place forthe maneuvering required during surfing. FIG. 2 shows a sliding courseinstalled in such a larger area, where for instance the sliding surface1 is placed on a hillside. The hillside is not necessarily straight andtherefore the sliding surface 1 can include jumps 1 a on the proficientpart of the slope. At the top of the hill there is a more or lesshorizontal launching pad 9 and the sliding surface 1 begins there. Thesliding surface 1 widens along the slope, and both above it and alongits sides there are water feeders 39 water feeders 39 must be arrangedespecially at the top of the sliding surface 1 and at widening sectionsof it. Each water feeder 39 is equipped with an adjusting element orcontrol valve 41. There are protective guard-rails 3 at the side of thesliding surface 1 which prevents the water from running off, and if madewith a suitable, flexible and soft material serves as protection device,preventing the persons sliding down the slope from sliding beyond thesliding surface 1. There is a collecting basin 4 at the bottom of thesliding surface 1. There is a lift 33 by the sliding surface 1 which ifnecessary can divide the sliding surface into two parts. Both the partbelow the lift and the sliding surface 1 can be supplied with watercontinuously, which means that almost identical quantities of water flowdown on each partition on the full width of the sliding surface 1. Thewater is supplied to the water feeder 39 from the collecting basin 4 bya pump 11.

Persons wishing to slide down the sliding surface 1 get to the launchingpad 9 located at the top of the hill with the lift 33, from where theycan slide down the sliding surface, which is continuously flushed bywater slowly streaming to the collecting basin 4 and can executemaneuvers if they wish. During their slide a sliding device 7 can beaffixed to their feet pushes down the ribs 2 located on the slidingsurface in the manner shown in FIG. 1, and the sliding device 7transfers a part of the persons and of its own impulse to the waterlocated in the space between the ribs 2. It is mainly due to thistransfer of impulse that it is possible to carry out maneuvers duringsliding down the sliding surface 1, that is, it is possible to come downin a meandering fashion and not only along a straight line.

The character of the sliding surface 1 is fully identical with allfeatures of the skiing track (FIG. 2). The users sliding down thesliding surface 1 can be seen well. The users starting from thelaunching pad 9 fasten the sliding device 7 to their feet and doing themaneuvers they wish or now proceed towards the end of the slope.

The outrun surface area 1 b located at the bottom of the sliding surface1 has a very slight inclination or can even be a horizontal slidingsurface. The importance of the overrun surface 1 b is to allow the usersstop there and break in a more pleasant way.

FIG. 2 shows a lift 33 deployed to make scaling more pleasant, togetherwith its engineering structure. The sliding surface 1 is visibly nothorizontal and it does not have an even width. The track sections havingdifferent inclination make sliding down more enjoyable. The differencein the width of the course in case of a slight downward widening doesnot cause problems due to the water spreading effect of themicro-terraces. In case of more significant widening or of usingassembly methods other than the horizontal (e.g. slated, distinctmicro-terraced, micro-cellular construction mode) it is necessary toprovide for additional water feeding. The water is supplied directly tothe sliding surface 1 by bleeding the pipe 12 conducted along the trackor with separate water supply through control valves 41 or otherfixtures, but also spraying can be used, increasing thereby theentertainment feature of the course. Safety rail-rail 3 must beinstalled at the side of the sliding surface 1. A supplementary watersupply could play a role in the faster fill-up of the course as waterfilling could start simultaneously at different levels of the course. Inthis case water control must be provided for after the filling, asduring use less water is required than during filling.

When narrowing the width of the course, a minor reduction of width willresult in an insignificant water surplus, but the water surplus willbecome significant if the narrowing is more pronounced, creatingpleasant and exciting rapid areas, where stopping or passing with skirepresents a serious challenge.

The collecting basin 4 located at the bottom of the course should notnecessarily be an inherent part of the course. The basin can be hidden,in this case the users will stop on the overrun 1 b. The basin, however,is indispensable for replacing the run-off water. The pump supplies thewater collected and cleaned in the basin, and often warmed up on theslope, into the basin 8 located at the top of the course.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the sliding surface 1. The ribs 2 locatedon the sliding surface 1 are able to retain water in the space betweenthem, that is, there is a pool 10 or micro-terrace between two adjacentribs. These micro-terraces 10 must naturally be closed at their lateralsides or ends and this is solved by a length of a transverse orsectioning rib 17 abridging said ribs 2 with said sliding surface.

The micro-terraces 10 can be elongate pools bordered by flexible ribs 2having suitable profiles and made of a suitable material, and extendingalong an approximately horizontal path, approximately perpendicular tothe angle of the slope, and vertical sectioning ribs 17 limiting thelateral flow of water.

The micro-terraces must always be closed on the sides to prevent waterfrom pouring out or limiting the outflow to the required rate. Thewater-filled space between two adjacent ribs 2, i. e. the micro-terracemust be interrupted by inserting vertical sectioning ribs 17 between thehorizontal ribs according to the solution shown in FIG. 3, detailedlater on the basis of the solution shown in FIG. 11, either by pastingor screwing them onto the upper covering sheet 5, (if necessary to thehorizontal sections can be interrupted by pasting supplementary verticalsectioning ribs 17). This solution allows the safe use of creek-surfingin those surface sections of slopes covered by large underlay sheetsmanufactured economically in coils or boards, that deviate from thehorizontal by intention or accident.

FIG. 4. shows the structure of sliding surface 1 in a schematicsectional view. It is appreciated that the sliding surface 1 is placedon the surface created by the support surface 20, and the slidingsurface 1 can have jumps 1 a or raised sites too. The collecting basin 4already referred to, is located at the bottom of the sliding surface 1,and is occasionally connected to the sliding surface 1 through theoverrun surface 1 b. The surface of the overrun 1 b is horizontal or hasa slight inclination. There is a underlay-plate 6 placed onto thesupport surface 20 to even out minor unevenness and to soften thecourse. The micro-terraces 10 formed by the ribs 2 are located there.The below the launching pad 9 located at the top of the slope there isan upper basin 8, which allows the continuous replacement of theater onthe lower parts of the course should the pump 11 stop. The ribs 22 belowthe sliding device 7 placed on the sliding surface 1 bend and thedislodged water from there 13 runs off and spreads on the lower parts ofthe sliding surface 1. The continued feed and the dislodged water 13forms a permanent overflow curtain 19, which if properly adjustedspreads evenly through the whole width of the sliding surface 1.

All sloping surfaces can be covered impermeably with a slipperymaterial—preferably plastic—in such a manner that narrow pools,micro-terraces 10 are formed by ribs 2 protruding from the surface, andthen water is let onto the surface at the top. The water will stop atthe micro-terraces 10, and the flow will slow down form there on to suchan extent than can be taken as approximately zero. The body sliding downin the slope covered in this way by water opens the way for the flow ofwater by bending the ribs (see FIG. 4.) and thus the surface becomesmore slippery, and at the same time, the resultant of the reaction forceof the dislodged water and the force required to bend the ribs issuitable to change the state of motion of the body (e.g. breaks, changesits direction). The ribs 2, due to their flexibility return to theiroriginal position soon after the body passed, forming once againmicro-terraces that fill up with the permanently slow water flow andthus, the sliding surface 1 is almost immediately regenerated.

FIG. 4. shows the general theoretic scheme of the design of the course.The different elements can be left out as the case may be, and can beassembled into numerous variants.

The sliding surface is in all cases mounted onto a natural orconstructed support surface 20. A support structure 20 is built onto thenatural hillside after suitable preparation, and then the slidingsurface 1 is fastened to it. In the absence of a natural hillside, theunderstructure is supported by a constructed support. In all cases theunderstructure must be made on the basis of and architectural staticdesign. In the dimensioning the full filled-up water weight must beconsidered, as well as dynamic use and the changing load.

The pools, micro-terraces 10 formed by the ribs 2 built onto the slidingsurface 1 in their normal state are filled with water and allow therun-off of a minimal water overflow 19 corresponding to the normal, baselevel water transport of the pump. The inclination of the slidingsurface 1 is not always constant, it may have depressions andprotrusions 1 a, which might create hogbacks, making the slide moreenjoyable. The course at its lower section has an overrun surface 1 b afew meters long, with a very small inclination, which could be almosthorizontal or even of negative inclination. The water flowing down getsinto the basin 4. The job of the basin 4 is to store the water requiredto fill up the whole length of the course and replace water losses, toprovide space for water circulation and cleaning.

The pump 11 placed in the inside of the basin 4 space or outside of it,conducts the water through the pipe 12 onto the basin 8 located at thetop of the course. The yield of the pump must be regulated, this can beachieved either by using several pumps or through the electric or waterside regulation of the pump. The yield of the pump depends on the liftof the course, the geometric dimensions, water contents, the timerequirement for filling-up and the number of users.

The basin 8 ensures the even flow of water onto the course.

The basin 8 is covered by the launching pad 9 at the top of the course,from there the users can start without damaging the course.

In case of increasing the width of the sliding surface 1, or to replacewater losses, additional water feeders 39 can be used in differentsections of the course. Water feeders can have an important role at thestart-up of the course, as starting the filling at several levelsreduces the time required for the complete filling-up.

Sliding surface can be produced in any slopped surface with any of thesurface making methods described below.

The material of the sliding surface 1 can be (poly)urethane-, PVC, KPEor other plastic, all UV stabilized, water resistant, without any watersoluble paint or any hazardous material contents and it must be made ofa wear resistant and elastic material.

The material of the ribs 2 can be (poly)urethane-, PVC, KPE or otherplastic, all must be elastic, properly soft, UV stabilized, waterresistant, without any water soluble paint or any hazardous materialcontents and it must be made of a wear resistant and elastic material.

The ribs 2 can be fixed securely in different ways, e.g. by

pasting

shaped fitting, joining

clamped down with a fastening element

the combination of the above.

The ribs as seen, can be structured in a variety of shapes and manners.

FIG. 5 shows the different version of the ribs placed onto the slidingsurface 1. For all versions it can be said that the position could bereversed in comparison to the Figure, that is they can bend not onlytowards the direction of the slope, downwards, but upwards too, relativeto the normal of the sliding surface 1. This could be useful forinstance for the lift 33, where the suitably constructed and positionedribs can bend upward when the person proceeds upwards on the slope,sliding up with the aid of two sliding devices.

The shapes of the ribs 2:

2/a horizontal rib, straight: is a rib perpendicular to the inclinationline of the course made with a protrusion angle not deviating from it bymore than +10 deg.

2/b horizontal rib uniform strength: identical tension is createdthrough the whole cross-section of the rib

2/c horizontal rib straight forward bending: ensures soft trackcharacteristic, bending more easily at the arrival of the user, thecourse is more slippery. The angle of its position is more than +10degree from the perpendicular, but without being horizontal. Mountingthis rib in the opposite sense a backward bending rib is achieved,making the course harder, it is more difficult to use, but at the sametime more enjoyable.

2/d horizontal rib curving backwards: combines the softness of theforward bending rib with the relatively large water space, and allowspasted or painted promotional material to be placed on the valley-sidesurface.

2/e horizontal rib curving forward: An even softer track characteristicthan the straight forward bending rib.

2/f horizontal rib with a stiffening profile: the rounded stiffeningprofile helps fast return to the original position, and protects thefirst user from damages caused by the thin profile edges. The stiffeningprofile placed on the hillside helps stopping providing shapedresistance.

2/g horizontal rib with cavernous inside profile: the air sacks can havean advantageous effect on the flexibility of the ribs. The slidingcourse can be made even more pleasant if the cavernous internal ribprofile 2/g according to FIG. 5 is used in such a manner that thecaverns inside the ribs are closed, connected to each other and to aregulated power compressor, than the pressure of the enclosed air isvaried. As a result the character of the course changes significantly,becoming harder as the pressure increases.

2/h horizontal rib with grooved surface (FIG. 9): the cross grooving ofthe ribs 2 improves significantly the friction across the axis of thecourse, improving the possibility of turning. The depth of the groovesis 1-10 mm, the width is 5-20 mm.

2/multi covering sheet including several ribs (FIG. 14): the manufactureof the ribs 2 with the covering 5 accelerates site mounting. It is notnecessary to pay attention to the horizontal assembly, water tightnessis ensured without it. The 2/m covering sheets are placed over eachother with overlap, then they are fastened relative to the slope andpasted together.

rib 2/z structured in a similar manner than the slates or shingles usedfor roofing (FIG. 13), it has an upward bend along one side forming arib 2/z and a partial upward bend on two adjoining sides and representsthereby a genarally rectangular course covering element, These elementsare positioned on the surface with a mutual overlap in the way asroofing tiles are laid on a roof Its advantage is its almost completeinsensitivity to horizontal assembly, completely different coursesurfaces resembling spatial curves can be covered with it. The lowersection can even be curved, but the tree sides melting together can forma spoon, concave spatulate or slipper-like element, respectively. Thefull lower surface of the slate-like rib is pasted, thus the watertightness of the sliding surface 1 is guaranteed. On the lower side ofthe micro-terraces water passages and overflow bores are made.

All of the forms described above can be combined with any of thefastening methods.

FIG. 6 shows a version of the sliding surface 1 where the ribs joinself-supporting cover sheet 5 a equipped with stiffening ribs. Thecovering sheet 5 a is structured by bands and affixed to the supportingsurface 20 by screws. In this case bolsters too can act as or replace asupporting surface 20. The bands of the covering sheet 5 a can befastened to the supporting surface 20 with the aid of fastening elements25 for instance screws.

FIG. 6 shows one of the most obvious methods for the construction of thecourse. The course is made of plastic profile covering sheet 5a madespecially for this purpose, which overlapping and fastened in abase-board-like manner fastens at the same time the horizontal ribsplaced between them. The upper part of the plastic profile is smooth,while on the bottom is equipped with ribs of such height and strengththat guarantee stable sliding surface even is the support is located at60-120 cm. Fastening is ensured by the fastening elements 25 made in theform of screws and sunk into the base structure forming the supportingsurface. Water tightness too, is basically ensured by the entire bottompart of the rib 2 and the upper hillside of the base being filledwithout gap with adhesive-seal. In this way the course isself-supporting, the assembly time is reduced, the replacement of theelements is fast and simple. With the utilization of this solution it issufficient to have the base structure consist of bolsters.

The ribs 2 forming the micro-terraces 10 of the course joint thecovering sheet 5 with shaped fitting. Their shape is chosen based on theuse of the course. The angular offset of the ribs 2, their frequency andshape can change, always in order to achieve the desired results.

FIG. 7 shows the use of a cover sheet 5 made of flexible material, onwhich there are notches narrower than the surface and widening inside.On the side of the ribs 2 connecting to the covering sheet 5 there is abeading that fits into the notches. The covering sheet 5 a is indirectlyfastened to the supporting surface 20 through the underlay-plate 6. Boththe covering sheet 5 and the underlay-plate 6 are for instance affixedwith the aid of fastening elements 25 made in the form of screws. Thecovering sheet 5 thickens at the notches 24 and thus the whole surfacebecomes more flexible. The covering sheet 5 can be made of bands and thebands join together sidewise with connecting surfaces 21 a.

FIG. 8 shows how is it possible to make the spreading of the water evenalong the width of the sliding surface 1. Probably the upper edge of theribs 2 is not exactly horizontal. Probably the strength of the ribs 2also is not even along their fill length. At the same time the ribs 2are easy to bend to allow the sliding device 7 to bend the easily. Forthis reason it can happen that as a result of the pressure of the watercontained within, the first edge of the rib 2 is located lower atcertain places than at others, and so the water retained by it will seepdown at this place onto the micro-terrace formed by the rib 2 below it.In unfavorable cases such seeping occur at the edge of the course, orare distributed unevenly along the width of the course, and thus, asmall rivulet can form on the sliding surface 1. It is better if such anoverflow is not caused by a slipover extending to the full length, butdepressions 42 of smaller width are made intentionally, which form anoverflow slit, and make the flow of the water to the water surface below44 more even. Water passage bores 43 must be made on the ribs 2 too,which could have two roles. One of the roles is that they allow thedraining of the water in case of cleaning or stoppage. The other role isthat making such bores 43 subsequently or adjusting them can make thewater flowpnore even during operation.

For the installations exposed to freezes in winter it is necessary toensure the drainage of the water. For this purpose water passage bores43 are formed at the lowest part of the water filled pond of themicro-terraces 10 and made after assembly are extremely suitable, as thebores located at the bottom of micro-terraces 10 can be considered asserially connecting an upstream pond with a downstream pond, and thusthe total loss of water can be linmited to the water volume passingthrough all bores 43 located along a singe horizontal rib.

Overflows can be formed on the top of the horizontal ribs. The overflowsare small slits made in the material of the ribs, through which thewater contained in the basin can drain away before reaching the lowestpoint of the upper edge of the horizontal rib. Their total cross-sectionis only slightly less than the flow cross-section of the freely flowingwater, thus they cause swells within the micro-terraces. The water massof the micro-terrace will start to drain away before the completefilling-up through the slipovers 42 and the water passages 43 a makingstreaming down of water more even. Their users justified for large(especially wide) courses.

It is a basic requirement for the vertical sectioning ribs 17 is thatthey must allow that the horizontal ribs to flexibly bend, whileproviding adequate water tightness after recovery. The sectioning ortransverse elements cut to size at the assembly site can be made of thesame material as the ribs 2 and screwed or pasted to the sliding surface1 thereby these requirements are fully met. It is however necessaryensure that pasting involves only the sliding surface 1.

FIG. 9 shows a sliding surface where there are 2 h ribs with grooves.

FIG. 10 shows a solution similar to that on FIG. 7, where the coveringsheet 5 is made of bands 15, but in this case the bands 15 arerelatively narrow and there is a rib 16 between two adjacent bands 15.Both the edge of the bands 15 and the root of the ribs 16 are equippedwith connecting elements. The ribs 16 have two connecting elements eachand these each connects to a band 15 fastening two adjacent bands 15together.

In implementations where the surface is not even, and its geometrycannot be described by a cylinder-jacket due to nature or intentionally,the use of long horizontal ribs is not satisfactory. In such casessystems made up of discrete micro-terraces 10 must be used (FIGS. 11,12, 13 a, 13 b), which basically represents the version of themicro-terrace system broken into short elemental sections. Such othermethods of forming micro-terraces are also possible, (FIG. 11) e.g.systems made up of discrete micro-terraces formed in a honeycomb orrhomboidal (FIG. 12), or slated (FIGS. 13a, 13 b) manner. In this way itis possible to construct courses of complex geometric design.

FIG. 11 shows a version where the fibs 2 are not fully horizontal. Thismeans that the micro-terrace between the ribs also is not horizontal.This however, would be impossible, as the surface of the water 29 in themicro-terrace is always horizontal. Thus, in order to prevent lateralflow there are sectioning ribs 17 placed between two adjacent ribs 2,which can be identical to the ribs 17 closing the ends of themicro-terraces 10. As shown in the Figure it is preferred to locate theribs 17 are not exactly below each other but in laterally offsetposition. This allows water to flow down from each micro-terrace 10 ontotwo downstream micro-terraces 10 positioned below it. Thus, overflowslit 42 and water passage bore 43 can be made separately in eachmicro-terrace 10 and even two overflow slits and two water passage borescan be made on each of them and even their size can be different. With asuitable adjustment of their number and size the uneven flow rates ofthe water can be compensated while or after installing the course.

The micro-terraces 10 made by two crossing ribs 2 shown in FIG. 12 arealready equipped with defined overflow slit and thus, they need not bemade. Here the water passage bores 43 provide opportunity foradjustment, and they are the primary resources for solving unevenness.The water flow 19 running off from a micro-terrace 10 mainly stream onlyinto another one of the micro-terraces 10.

FIG. 13a shows the sliding surface 1 made up of discrete coveringelements. The covering element 27 comprises basically of a flat coveringsheet 30 and a pond or basin 31 made at its end. The covering element 27must be placed in such a manner onto the slope that the basin 31 is atthe bottom The basin 31 is bordered by the covering element 30 and the 2v rib connected to the lower edge of the covering sheet 30, the basin 31formed this way is closed on the sides by sectioning ribs 57. Thesecovering elements 27 can simply be mounted individually onto the slope,for instance using additionally an underlay-plate 6, with the aid ofscrews or nails or other fastening elements, or adhesive or both. Theplacing of the covering elements 27 must start at the bottom of theslope with the same technique as for roofing, and continued upwards. Thetop covering element 27 must be placed on the covering element 27 belowin such a manner that the lateral juncture of adjacent covering elements27 should be covered overlapped by the covering element 27 next above.In this overlapped state water tightness can be achieved in a mannersimilar to roofing without any additional measures. To have adequatewater tightness the covering sheet 30 of the covering element 27 must be2-3 times longer than the length of the basin 31. These dimensions areunderstood along the direction of slope.

FIG. 14 shows a prefabricated covering sheet 5, where the multi-ribs 2come factory made. This can be achieved with extrusion or line welding.The covering sheet 5 manufactured this way can be rolled-up in the formof a carpet since the material is flexible.

This is a significantly simplified version, but due to the costreduction effect, the combined rib 2/multi plays a non negligible role,because the covering sheet 5 and at least two pieces of horizontal ribs2 are factory mounted, the micro-terraces being co-extruded fromdifferent quality materials onto a T shape or assembled separately andare manufactured in a single work phase with the covering sheet. Thefoot-type ribs must be pasted close together with an adhesive layerdeposited onto their bottom surface (e.g. according to FIG. 5 with theadhesive layer shown for rib 2 e) to the bolster prepared in advance(the precondition here is that the upper surface of the bottom bolsterbe suitable for pasting, i.e. equipped with a plastic sheet pasted toit), making this way a monolithic covering sheet 5 with horizontal rib2. (See later the description of FIG. 16). An additional advantage ofusing foot-type ribs is that in certain cases one of the foot-type ribs2 a-2 f, 2 h is suitable without any changes to perform the tasks of thevertical sectioning rib 17 (being perhaps cut to size at the site). Thesurface unevenness caused by the shoulders of the slope can easily becorrected with the longitudinal cut of the feet of the ribs or byleaving a spline-like indentation, and it is easy to set the ribs 2 ashorizontal as possible.

The sliding devices used for skiing can be used on the sliding course.Both ski and snowboard are suitable for sliding down if theirslipperiness is adjusted and their very sharp steel edges made for snoware rounded down.

To enjoy in full the possibilities inherent in the sliding course asliding device similar to the snowboard developed specifically for thepurpose can be used. The device fastening the feet of the user can berather simple, or more complex, which enhances safety causing verylittle discomfort. FIGS. 15a-g show a sliding device similar in designto the snowboard. It can be used with special shoes 35, which protectsthe feet 37 of the user from bruises. The shoes 35 are similar to thoseused for surfing, skiing, snowboarding, but most of all to those usedfor roller-skating, and are made of aerated, strong, or even completelyrigid, water resistant material.

There are bridles 34 on the sliding device 7 to accommodate the shoes35. The sliding device 7 can be a plane sheet by both the front and theend can be bent upwards to a small extent. Both longitudinal ends of thesliding device 7 are suitably rounded. The edges of the sliding device 7also can be rounded, excessive rounding however reduces directioncontrol. If suitable material is used the edges can be made angular too.

FIGS. 16a, 16 b show a sleigh like sliding device 38, which canaccommodate two people even; and is equipped with a grip 40 to preventfalling down.

It is possible to slide down alone or in groups with the sleight-likeboard sliding device 38. The sliding device has one or multiple layers,of a plastic, water resistant material, has a flat structure resemblinga flying saucer, and one or more persons can sit thereon. While slidingdown they can hold the grip 40 and can control the direction of movementby the relocating their body weight. This sliding device 38 can besteered by extending feet just us in case of sliding down by a sleigh.

A sleigh board can be braked with the aid of the breaks described forthe rubber boat. As sliding device 38 is less steereable than slidingdevice 7, their simultaneous use in the sliding course is notrecommended.

An additional possibility for group sliding is the special steerablerubber boat (FIGS. 17a, 17 b and 18). The difference in comparison to aninflatable plastic or rubber boat is that the bottom 51 is stiffened andis equipped longitudinally with ribs, and instead of the oars, brakingoars or members 46 can be mounted permanently or temporarily onto it.The braking oars can be in the front or in the back, and always thepersons sitting in the boats are those who handle them. The braking oarscan be moved separately from each other. If the persons in the boatpress the oar on one side using the braking arm and push it against thesliding surface 1 the symmetry of the boat gets broken, its state ofbalance changes and a strong backward force develops turning the boattowards the braked side. The ribs made on the bottom of the boat ensurethat the direction is kept, that is, that the boat move towards thedirection of least resistance, and that moving in directionsperpendicular to it is made harder.

FIG. 17a shows a sliding device 45 similar to a rubber boat. There is apair of oars 46 affixed to one of its ends fastened with the aid of afastening device 47. There is an arm 48 linked to the oars 46 with theaid of which the oars 46 can be turned around the axis 49. When liftingthe arm 48 the oar 46 is pressed against the sliding surface 1 and byexercising a break effect it serves to steer the sliding device. Toimprove steering, ribs should be made on the bottom of the slidingdevice 45.

FIG. 18 shows the version of the sliding device 45 made from a rubberboat, on the bottom of which there is a sheet 51 affixed with the aid ofa rope 50. The sheet 51 is suitably shaped in the form of a tray ribbedon the bottom side. This sheet 51 can be affixed with the aid of therope 50 to the rope eyelets 56 of the rubber boat serving as core forethe sliding device 45. The sliding device 45 is further equipped withoars 52 affixed in pairs, which are fastened to an axle tube 54 througha brace.

The sheet 51 that forms the rigid plastic sliding surface to be mountedon the bottom of the commercially available rubber boat is fastened tothe eyelets on the sides of the boat with the rope 50 affixed to itsside. The rudders on the two sides of the boat are linked by an axis 49passed through the rudder fastening axle tube placed into the oar ringof the boat where it can turn. The boat side rudder fastening axle tube54 cannot escape form the oar ring and thus it positions the rudders.The end of the axle tube opposite to the boat is affixed to the axis 49in a manner that makes turning possible. The rudder 55 is rigidlyaffixed to the axle tube 54 (by welding or with separable connection)with a stiffening element or steel sheet. Its role is to make theplastic rudder resistant against the significant steering forces Therudders and braking arms are mounted on the axle tube at an angle atwhich in a stationary state the rudders point upwards and the brakingarms are pushed forward. When the braking arms are pulled back therudders are pressed into the sliding surface 1, they bend down the ribs2 creating significant friction. The user pulls one of the pair ofbraking arms 53 welded to the axle tube in accordance with the desiredchange of direction and as a result the rudders are pressed separatelyor for braking simultaneously against the sliding surface 1, where thecreated friction breaks the rudder changing the state of motion of theboat. The longitudinal ribs on the bottom of the boat stabilize thechanged direction.

With this additional fixtures the mass-produced rubber boats availablecommercially can be simply used.

The physical principle of steered boat slide is based in a smaller parton the reaction force of the water, and in a greater part on the shaperesistance of the ribs.

One of the special areas of utilization of the sliding surface 1 shownin FIG. 19 is the mobile slide. This is an equipment resembling aconveyor belt, with the horizontal ribs 2 and the side sectioning ribs17 forming the micro-terraces 10 being mounted onto a wide conveyor belt63 (as wide as 3-20 meters). The conveyor belt 63 is driven by a drivingmotor 62 with a suitable gear, with the driving speed being variable toallow adjustment to the optimum speed. The conveyor belt 63 is draggedalmost on its total width upon and along a stationary supporting surface65 which provides support and ensures plane surface. The support surface65 can naturally be equipped with rollers to reduce friction. The lowerend of the conveyor belt 63 is immersed under the water surface of thebasin 4 and the micro-terraces 10 get filled under the level of water inthe basin 4 and moving together with the conveyor belt while carryingthe water upwards. At the top of the course the micro-terraces 10 areemptied, the discharged water is collected and conducted back through awater drain 64 directly into the basin 4 or onto the lower levels of thecourse. The users can access the course by stairs or ladder 59 and startfrom a launching pad 9 located at the top of the course. The waterdislodged by the skier is constantly replaced as a result of the upwardmotion. The angle of the conveyor belt 63 can be adjusted with the aidof a hydraulic cylinder/piston unit 61 and thereby the slope can beadjusted to be steeper or milder very quickly. The conveyor belt 63 hasa stable supporting structure and can be placed on a foundation 60.

If the adjustment is good the person sliding down on the sliding surface1 will practically remain in the same level or place. The position ofthe person can be monitored with the help of suitable sensors, and ifthe person gets too close to the basin the operating speed of thedriving motor 62 can be increased. If the person gets too high up, thespeed of the driving motor 62 can be reduced. The same result can beachieved with the operation of cylinder/piston unit 61, that is bychange the steepness of the sliding surface 1. This solution allows fora compact implementation in a relatively small area and also fortraining. With a proper design ski beginners can be trained.

FIG. 20 shows a version where the covering sheet 5 placed on thesupporting surface 201 has cavities 28. There are two cavities 28 madebetween two adjacent ribs 2, and two adjacent cavities 28 are separatedby spacer rib 26. The spacer rib can be airtight or air permeable. Withthis structure it is possible to make inflatable sliding surface 23, theflexibility of which reduces significantly the risk of bruises. There isan other inherent possibility, namely that with the use of airtightspacer rib 26 the pressure in the cavities 28 located between twoadjacent ribs 2 can be adjusted to different values and thus the angleof the ribs 2 can be adjusted between certain limits, allowing therebyadjustment of the characteristics of the sliding surface 23. A pillow ismade from plastic foil with one or more air chambers or pockets an isplaced to extend across the slope. The air pockets are made by thecavities 28 between which the ribs 2 are placed, which will occupy theirworking position after the air pockets are inflated forming then themicro-terraces 10. The bottom of the pillow can be affixed to thesupport surface 20 by pasting. This version is sensitive to damages butprovides a soft surface.

The invention has been described above and shown in the attacheddrawings on hand on preferred embodiments of the solution according tothe invention. However, based on these teachings and presentation personskilled in the art can develop numerous modifications and versions forthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sliding course for sliding persons and objectsdown a slope having a surface, which course includes sliding elementscovering the surface of the slope, and a water source for moisteningsaid elements characterized in that said sliding elements comprise poolslocated one below the other, wherein said pools are forming water filledmicro-terraces (10) characterized in that the pools forming themicro-terraces (10) are formed by a sheet covering the slope in awater-tight manner and flexible ribs (2) are emerging from said sheet,furthermore each pool is bordered by said covering sheet (5) and by atleast one of said flexible ribs (2) and is closed by a flexibletransverse sectioning rib joined to said covering sheet (5) and said atleast one flexible rib (2).
 2. The sliding course as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the surface of the rib (2) accosting the pool ismade of a material with low friction coefficient in the moist state. 3.The sliding course as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the ribs(2) and/or covering sheet is affixed onto an underlay sheet.
 4. Thesliding course as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the underlaysheet (6) is made of a self-supporting, rigid material.
 5. The slidingcourse as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the pools are limitedby crossing ribs (2) protruding from the covering sheet (5).
 6. Thesliding course as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that there is atleast one water passage bore in the bottom of each pool.
 7. The slidingcourse as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that there is at least oneoverflow (6) on each pool.
 8. The sliding course as claimed in claim 1characterized in that there are cavities (28) parallel to the ribs (2)located in the ribs (2 g) and/or covering sheet, closed in an airtightmanner and connected to a source of compressed air.
 9. The slidingcourse as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a sliding devicesuitable for sliding down in at least in one direction characterized bythe sliding device comprising a sheet, the front end of which in the onedirection is at least partly rounded.
 10. The combination as claimed inclaim 9 characterized in that the sliding device is shaped in the formof an elongated board having bridles (34) to accommodate the feet on theforward part or grip (45) for hand gripping.
 11. The combination asclaimed in claim 10 characterized in that at least the end part in thedirection of motion of said board is formed to have an upward curve. 12.The combination as claimed in claim 11 characterized in that there areat least two rudders (46, 52) forming a braking oar in respect of thedirection of motion.
 13. The combination as claimed in claim 10characterized in that there is a flexible edge part.
 14. The combinationas claimed in claim 13 characterized in that there is at least onerudder (46, 52) mounted to the board and adapted to be pressed againstthe sliding surface (1) for steering and braking and that there arelongitudinal ribs on the bottom of the sliding device in the directionof motion.
 15. A sliding course for sliding persons and objects down aslope having a surface, which course includes sliding elements coveringthe surface of the slope, and a water source for moistening saidelements characterized in that said sliding elements comprise poolslocated one below the other, wherein said pools are forming water filledmicro-terraces (10) characterized in that it is mounted on a conveyorbelt and the water source is a basin (4) located at the bottom of theconveyor belt.
 16. The sliding course as claimed in claim 15characterized in that the inclination angle of the conveyor belt (63) isadjustable.
 17. A sliding course for sliding persons and objects down aslope having a surface, which course includes sliding elements coveringthe surface of the slope, and a water source for moistening saidelements characterized in that said sliding elements comprise poolslocated one below the other, wherein said pools are forming water filledmicro-terraces (10), which course includes covering elements coveringthe surface of the slope, characterized in that said covering elementcomprises a covering sheet (30) adapted to be fastened to a slopedsurface and having a basin (31) on its upper side formed by ribs (2 z)located at the lower part of the slope and closed by transverse ribsections (58) at both ends, and having at least one water passage bore(31) at the bottom of the pool and at least one overflow (43),furthermore that the length of the covering sheet (30) along thedirection of slope is at least twice and at most thrice the length ofthe basin (31) measured in the direction of the slope.
 18. A slidingcourse for sliding persons and objects down a sloped surface,comprising: sliding elements covering the sloped surface; and a watersource for moistening said sliding elements, said sliding elementscomprising pools located one below the other, said pools being waterfilled micro-terraces, said pools being formed by a sheet covering thesloped surface in a water-tight manner and flexible ribs (2) emergingfrom said sheet, each said pool being bordered by said covering sheetand by at least one of said flexible ribs, and being closed by aflexible transverse sectioning rib joined to said covering sheet andsaid at least one flexible rib.
 19. A sliding course for sliding personsand objects down a sloped surface, comprising: sliding elements coveringthe sloped surface; and a water source for moistening said slidingelements, said sliding elements comprising pools located one below theother, said pools being water filled micro-terraces, and coveringelements covering the sloped surface, each said covering elementcomprising a covering sheet adapted to be fastened to a portion of thesloped surface and having a basin on an upper side formed by ribslocated at a lower part of the sloped surface portion and closed bytransverse rib sections.